Project Overview/ Project Work:

It’s no secret that a lot of Georgian families live throughout the World, whose children in the second generation forget their native language and are unfamiliar with the culture of their ancestors and their ethnic homeland, what cannot be left without a concern. We are partnered with local organizations in Georgia who specializes in conducting seminars and trainings, and has experience in intercultural learning of young people, and are agreed to support us in implementing this idea in its region (based on “Forest” (green) school).

While volunteering in this project, you will be involved in following activities.

Teaching the children

Assisting locals in morning exercise

Organizing games and competitions

Participating in creative ornamental work (made of wood and clay) together with children.

Informal methods of teaching the Georgian language

Review and discussion of Georgian films (animation films, comedies)

Besides this, you might also be involved in cultural activities under the guidance of experienced teachers, i.e.

Evenings of national dance and music (folklore)

Excursions to historical sites with watching video cassettes

Hiking in the mountains on foot

The final exhibition of works (photos, drawings, crafts, batik, needlework…)

The closing concert

PLEASE NOTE: Your work starts after breakfast and your working time is usually composed of 4-6 hours per day. However if you are willing to work more, you are heartily welcome by us. Typical working time starts around 8:30 to 11 in morning and around 1:30 to 3:30 in the afternoon. During working hours, you will have break time for lunch and a cup of tea. We encourage you to work closely with the project staff so that you can easily adjust in the new environment.

Sample Workcamp Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at Tbilisi National Airport (or Batumi Airport), from where you will be transferred to your respective accommodation. Your 1st day will be a rest day, so that you can easily recover and refresh yourself after a long journey. But at nights, you can roam around and enjoy the beautiful place by exploring your surroundings.

Note: If any volunteer is not able to arrange their flight dates according to our program date, then please let us know, so that we can do suitable arrangements for you, however it is very rare to arrange separate time table for you, so it is advised to come before the given date, because we do not want any inconvenience and hurdle for our participants.

Day 2: You will be welcomed at the host/partner organization, where you will be given a short introduction about history, region and information of organization. You will also be introduced about the local people, local conditions, local language & culture, host family, safety & climate and social or political issues.

Day 3: You will leave for the project site where you will meet with the local villagers and will introduced about the project and environment.

Day 4 – 10: Work in Project (Refer Project Overview & Project Work for details)

Day 11 – 13: This is the time to relax and refresh by taking tour to village site and having picnic with local staff and your fellow volunteers. You will visit and explore a lot of historical monuments, ancient churches and monasteries Western Georgia. You will also have the chance to participate in some activities like fishing and swimming in the rivers. You can also participate in some of the favorite outdoor pursuits like berry and mushroom picking.

Day 14 – 16: Project work (Educational Activities) continuous.

Day 17 – 18: Visit and explore the beautiful places of Georgia along with the group of participants of almost your own age. This will also help you to share your new experience with each other.

Day 19: Completion of project, final experience synthesis and Farewell program will be conducted at the end in which you will be given time to recall and share important experiences and lessons. During this, a short program of certificate distribution also takes place.

Day 20: Once the program is over, the group of volunteers (youth participants) will leave for departure.

Note: This is just a suggested, sample itinerary and might be changed by the country coordinator. However, you will receive the final workcamp itinerary upon your arrival in the host country. The program coordinator will also provide you day-to-day work schedule before the workcamp start.

SKILL AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

For participating in our workcamp project, you need to be minimum 17 years and maximum 26 years of age. No upper age limit will be accepted in any workcamps.

You do not need any special skills, qualification or prior experience to join our workcamps. However; you should meet following criteria.

You should have an open mind, flexible attitude, compassion and eagerness to work with local people.

You are also expected to be imaginative, hardworking, self-motivated, have initiative, patience and love for other cultural people.

Volunteers should be able to speak medium English and relatively in good health.

Note: If volunteer under the age of 18, you need to supply both a permission letter and volunteer application signed by a parent or legal guardian giving you consent to volunteer.

FOOD & ACCOMMODATION

GWC partner organization will manage your accommodation, food and supervision while you work in a project. Although a beautiful, friendly place, you should not expect luxurious accommodations. You will be accommodated in two floor village house with kitchen on the first floor, 3 bedrooms (3×2), bathroom and toilet (inside or outside), balcony and two more bedrooms on the second floor. Regarding food, you’ll be served 3 times (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) meals a day and the food have to be cooked by volunteers themselves. Besides this, if you’ll bring your fishing rods, our partner organization will organize fishing days. You might also have the opportunity to learn how to bake the Georgian bread ‘puri’ and how to cook Georgian cuisine.